Openly gay Episcopal Bishop V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire has been selected to deliver the invocation Sunday, Jan. 18, at a concert that will kick off the inaugural celebrations.
In addition, the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins will deliver the sermon in the National Prayer Service ( which ends the ceremonies ) at Washington National Cathedral. She will be the first woman to lead that service.
The choices of Robinson and Watkins make for a diverse group of religious officials who will be involved in religious activities. Obama had already chosen the Rev. Rick Warren, an evangelical minister, to deliver the invocation during the inauguration ceremony—a choice that angered many gay-rights activists, as Warren had gone on the record saying that he was against same-sex marriage ( even comparing the concept to incest and pedophilia ) . Also, the Rev. Joseph Lowery, a Black civil-rights advocate, will deliver the benediction.
LGBT-rights groups praised Robinson's selection. Jennifer Chrisler, executive director of the Family Equality Council, said, "In a period when others have used faith to justify bigotry and discrimination, Bishop Robinson has stood for peace and for the rights of all religious persons to express and act upon their faith. ... I look forward to hearing such a courageous voice at the first inaugural event, and to religious discourse during the Obama Administration that honors and respects all of God's children."
Robinson had actually endorsed Obama during his run for the presidency—but called the president-elect's selection of Warren a "slap in the face," according to the Washington Post.
However, having Robinson tapped to participate in Sunday's concert—which will feature Beyonce and U2, among others—has stirred controversy as well. According to USA Today, Catholic League President Bill Donohue commented that Obama selected a "polarizing person" who "offends Catholics as much as he does Protestants. If that's his idea of inclusion, he can keep it."
As for Robinson—who participated in a civil-union ceremony with partner Mark Andrew last June—he said, "I am totally excited and a little overwhelmed. It ranks up there with some of the most important moments of my life. We have put an enormous burden on this man and I want to remind the country that we have a part to play in this too," according to The Guardian.